Text: The Purple One

With Rice Bar and Mei LanFang Bar no more, there was a void left for a clientele that enjoys a laidback yet classy atmosphere.  A new gay venue has filled that void – DYMK or Does Your Mother Know, located in the heart of Central down a small, discreet alley.  It caters to a 28 and over crowd or anyone who appreciates chic ambiance along with their martini.  It’s sort of like a reunion of Curve, Rice and the Zip.

The interior is inviting with a large budget given to its furnishings and decoration.  Mariah once sang “Purple taking me higher, I’m lifted and I like it!” which is where the décor is aiming – higher.  Purple is used for accents and the upholstery choice for the large cozy booths.  The dark walls and high ceilings give a cavernous and intimate feel to the bar, exactly what their target clientele is looking for.  If you’re looking for some fresh air (or as fresh as Hong Kong gets) there’s a lovely terrace to enjoy your cocktails.

DYMK is not all about looks.  The drink menu is sure to please even the pickiest queens.  Choose from one of their ten signature drinks such as a Mother’s Two-Tone Mai Tai to start; you’ll get your buzz going right away as these cocktails are strong.  Then move on to their selection of premium drinks and wines.  They have a great selection of wines, in part, I suspect, due to their upstairs restaurant, Eden (see DS Food).  A glass of wine starts at $70 a glass or $290 for a bottle of Australian Chardonnay.

What kind of tunes should you expect?  Well, as you may know Does Your Mother Know is the name of an ABBA song so you’re sure to hear some gay anthems.  But don’t worry, not so much that you’ll be running for an exit.  They have a knack for tailoring the music to the crowd; jazz and chill out music on the weekdays to pumping house on the weekend.

Well if the fashionistas and hot guys aren’t enough to entice you then maybe their happy hours will lure you in. $38 Mai Tais on Mondays, mezze platters on Tuesdays,3-for-1 drinks 5:00-9pm Wednesdays, free vodka shot with any Mai Tai on Thursdays, and $30 Svedka Vodka 10pm-Midnight on Fridays.  Save your appetite and drinking for Sundays: $150 all-you-can-eat BBQ and happy hour drinks all night.

If you’re looking for a boys night out with your friends, a place for a cozy date (good lighting goes a long way), or a place to get your drink on before heading out to other boy bars, DYMK is the place to go.  It has a perfect location within walking distance to other popular venues, strong bevies, a chic interior and an up market yet relaxed crowd.

Address: B/F, 16 Arbuthnot Rd., Central

Tel: 2868 0626